Car and Driver announced its 2026 10Best winners in December 2025, and the list spans sports cars, family sedans, crossovers and pickups. Several General Motors models appear, along with Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, Porsche and Ram entries. Here are eleven of the vehicles that made the cut, each with the detail that stood out.
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1. Chevrolet Corvette: Ten Years Running
A Corvette has landed on the list for the tenth straight appearance, according to GM. Corvettes have collected 27 wins across the award’s 43-year history, a record few nameplates can approach.
The mid-engine layout gives the sports car a different character from the front-engine Corvettes of earlier decades. Buyers shopping the segment can treat the streak as a sign of consistent testing results rather than a single strong year. Few other nameplates in the awards history come close to that run of appearances.
2. Chevrolet Trax: Small Crossover Value
Chevrolet’s compact crossover is a repeat honoree, and GM notes that its starting MSRP is $21,900. That price places it among the more affordable new vehicles on the list.
Low entry cost is the main draw for shoppers who want a new crossover without stretching a monthly budget. Higher trims add equipment, so the final price on a dealer lot can climb well above the starting figure. That combination of price and practicality helps explain the repeat recognition.
3. Chevrolet Tahoe: Full-Size Capability
The Tahoe was recognized alongside the Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, as laid out in the GM announcement. The group is credited with capability and luxury in the full-size SUV lineup.
These body-on-frame SUVs suit families who tow trailers or need room for many passengers. The size that earns the praise also means tighter parking and heavier fuel use than any crossover on the list. Third-row space and cargo room remain the draw for large households.
4. Honda Civic: No Need to Fix It
Car and Driver summed up the Civic with the line “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” in a 2026 10Best writeup. The recognition covers the lineup broadly, including standard, hybrid, Si and Type R versions.
That spread means the nameplate reaches commuters, efficiency seekers and enthusiasts alike. Shoppers comparing trims should expect meaningfully different price and performance between the base car and the Type R. Its reputation for steady refinement is the thread connecting all of those versions.
5. Honda Accord: Consistency Wins
The editors praised the Accord with a food-industry comparison, writing that consistency is a fast-food chain’s secret weapon. The remark frames the midsize sedan as a dependable formula rather than a flashy one.
Sedans have lost ground to crossovers in showrooms, which makes a repeat appearance on the list notable. Buyers who still prefer a traditional trunk and lower ride height have few better-reviewed options. The pitch is sameness done well, which many shoppers actually want.
6. Volkswagen Golf GTI: Manual Holdouts
North American drivers keep the six-speed manual alive in the GTI and Golf R, with a roughly 40 percent take rate. That share is unusually high in a market where most new cars skip the third pedal.
Enthusiasts who want to row their own gears can still do so in this hot hatch. The strong manual demand also suggests Volkswagen has a reason to keep offering it as long as buyers keep ordering it. Anyone interested should confirm the manual remains available for the model year being considered.
7. BMW M2: Four Times the Power
The M2 makes 473 horsepower in total, matching the M3 and M4 and exceeding four times the output of the original 2002. The compact coupe now delivers numbers once reserved for larger, pricier BMWs.
That much power in a small two-door makes for a lively, demanding drive. Owners should budget for tires, insurance and fuel accordingly, since performance cars of this kind tend to be costly to run. It keeps the lineage of the compact BMW coupe alive in a far more powerful form.
8. Ford Ranger Raptor: Raptor Ranger
The Ranger Raptor is named to the 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, which is open to vehicles starting under $115,000. The off-road-focused midsize pickup earned its spot among that broader field.
Raptor-tuned suspension and styling set it apart from a standard Ranger. Prospective owners should weigh the price premium against how often desert-style driving is realistically on the schedule. The truck’s wide stance and rugged look are meant to signal that capability to onlookers.
9. Honda CR-V: Family Favorite
The CR-V earned a place on the 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs roster, a list with a $115,000 price cap on eligible vehicles. It is one of the most recognizable compact SUVs on the road.
Its appeal rests on practicality: room for passengers and cargo without the bulk of a three-row model. Shoppers cross-shopping rivals will find it a familiar benchmark in the segment. Interior space and strong resale are common reasons buyers return to this model.
10. Porsche Macan: Sporty Luxury SUV
Porsche’s compact SUV is among the vehicles on the 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, whose $115,000 price ceiling applies to every entry. Few entries on it carry a performance-car badge.
The Macan appeals to buyers who want sports-car handling in a taller, more practical body. Options can raise the price quickly, so the starting figure rarely reflects what a well-equipped example costs. Its recognition shows premium badges can still earn praise from drive-focused editors.
11. Ram 1500: Pickup With Polish
The Ram 1500 rounds out the group as a 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs pick, per a CarPro roundup of the winners. Eligibility for that list stops at vehicles starting under $115,000.
Full-size pickups are bought as much for daily comfort as for hauling, and this one is regarded for its ride. Shoppers should check configuration details, since bed length, cab size and powertrain vary widely. It remains a mainstay of the segment alongside its larger domestic rivals.
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